MQ-25

MQ-25. The Boeing MQ-25 Stingray is an unmanned aerial vehicle designed for carrier-based aerial refueling, developed for the United States Navy. It is intended to extend the combat range of deployed carrier air wing aircraft such as the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Boeing EA-18G Growler, and Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II. The program represents a critical step in integrating unmanned systems into carrier strike group operations, aiming to free up manned fighters from the tanker role and increase the aircraft carrier's overall operational reach and flexibility.

Development and design

The MQ-25 program originated from the earlier Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) project, which was restructured into the Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS) requirement. In August 2018, the Department of Defense awarded Boeing a contract to develop the air system, defeating proposals from General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. The design leverages technology from the company's earlier Phantom Ray demonstrator and features a flying-wing airframe optimized for low-observability and high fuel capacity. Key development and testing has occurred at facilities including Naval Air Station Patuxent River and MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. The aircraft's primary mission system is the aerial refueling store, a podded hose-and-drogue unit that allows it to transfer fuel to receiver aircraft, a capability first demonstrated successfully in 2021.

Operational history

The prototype, known as T1, conducted its first flight from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in September 2019. Initial carrier suitability testing commenced in December 2021 aboard the USS *George H.W. Bush* (CVN-77), involving deck handling and fit checks. The program achieved a major milestone in June 2024 when an MQ-25 test article conducted the first ever unmanned aerial refueling of a manned aircraft from an aircraft carrier, operating from the USS *George Washington* (CVN-73) to fuel a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet. Further developmental and operational test events are scheduled leading up to a planned initial operational capability with the U.S. Navy's Carrier Air Wings in 2025.

Specifications (MQ-25A)

* **Crew:** None (unmanned) * **Length:** 15.5 m (51 ft) * **Wingspan:** 22.9 m (75 ft) * **Gross takeoff weight:** ~20,000 kg (~44,000 lb) * **Powerplant:** 1 × Rolls-Royce AE 3007N turbofan engine * **Fuel capacity:** Over 6,800 kg (15,000 lb) of transfer fuel * **Range:** Approximately 930 km (500 nmi) from the carrier with full fuel load for transfer * **Systems:** Equipped with an aerial refueling store, Link 16 datalink, and carrier-based launch and recovery systems compatible with the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and existing carrier arresting gear.

Operators

* ** United States Navy – The sole planned operator. The service intends to procure over 70 aircraft to equip its carrier air wings. The first operational squadron is planned to be Unmanned Carrier-Launched Multi-Role Squadron (VUQ) 10, established at Naval Air Station Point Mugu.

Variants

* **MQ-25A Stingray:** The baseline production variant for the United States Navy, designed primarily for the aerial refueling mission. * **T1 Test Article:** The initial prototype configuration used for early flight testing and carrier suitability trials. It lacks the full mission systems of the production aircraft. * **Potential Future Variants:** While not yet developed, the United States Navy has discussed potential follow-on capabilities for the airframe, including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and battle management roles, which could lead to designated variants such as an MQ-25B.

Category:Unmanned aerial vehicles of the United States Category:Carrier-based aircraft Category:Aerial refueling aircraft Category:Boeing aircraft